San Diego police officers will receive roughly $2 million toward the cost of buying and maintaining their uniforms in a move Wednesday by the City Council to address recruiting and retention issues in the Police Department.

The city has struggled to keep its most seasoned officers — half of the roughly 1,800-member force is eligible to retire in the next four years — and its best young recruits in recent years. Some are being lured by other law-enforcement agencies that are promising more take-home pay and offering $5,000 signing bonuses.

The uniform allowance — which ranges from $900 to $1,930 per officer — follows an across-the-board pay increase for officers that went into effect July 1. The labor deal calls for a guaranteed 7 percent increase during the next five years.

The council previously voted in June to set aside $2 million in this year’s budget for police retention and recruiting and Wednesday’s unanimous decision directs how that money will be spent. Besides the uniform allowance, the council also plans to spend $35,000 on recruiting efforts, such as setting up booths at public events.

“We all know there is a critical situation facing the Police Department,” said Brian Marvel, president of the Police Officers Association. “… A strong public safety department for the city of San Diego is good for the city and this is a good first step.”

Councilman Kevin Faulconer said, “This program will put more police officers on the street protecting San Diego families, and protects the taxpayer investment San Diegans make in training police officers.”

Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who heads the council’s public safety committee, said the best way to address retention issues is to increase officer pay higher than the city has so far.

“This should not have been the first step,” Emerald said of the uniform allowance. “This is nickel-and-diming. We need to get serious about this. We need to marshal the political will and make this a priority in the city going forward.”